Management of Idiopathic Unilateral Plantar Fasciitis

A review of 121 patients of idiopathic unilateral plantar fasciitis treated with two different methods of conservative therapy is being reported here. The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the two different methods of treatment. The first method of treatment involved treatment with 1. Oral tablets of calcium carbonate with cholecalciferol 250 IU once a day for 3 months.2. Tablet of Vitamin D3 60000 IU given once a week for 3 months.3. Silicone insoles inside the footwear.4. Vegetarian diet.5. Specific plantar fascia stretch exercises General exercises like walking, yoga etc. whichever the patient was doing regularly.6. Hot water fomentation for 5 minutes by dipping the leg, ankle deep, in a bucket of warm water once daily. The second method of treatment involved treatment with 1. Oral tablets of calcium carbonate with cholecalciferol 250 IU once a day for 3 months.2. Tablet of Vitamin D3 60000 IU given once a week for 3 months.3. Microcellular rubber insoles inside the footwear 4. No dietary restrictions 5. General exercises - like walking, yoga etc. whichever patient was doing regularly and no specific plantar fascia stretch exercises taught.6. Ice applications ice cubes from refrigerator used to foment the painful area for 5 minutes once daily. The heel pain subsided in 84.90 % cases slowly and steadily over a period of 6 months with the first method of treatment while it subsided only in 52 % cases with the second method of treatment.